Key Largo Day Trip from Miami, Key Largo, Florida

Miami Beach is nice but it comes at the steep price of parking, crowds, and traffic. But luckily, a much calmer paradise is just an hour away by car.

The Keys doesn’t have to be a major overnight trip (though it’s better if it is). You can do it in a day or half a day, even at the last minute. Because let’s face it, Miami traffic is so bad that it’ll probably take you just as long to get to Ocean Drive as it will to get to Key Largo.

The most direct way to get to Key Largo is via the Turnpike and US1, which takes you all the way to Key West. But for a slightly different view, there is one other way to get from the mainland to the Keys: Card Sound Bridge. The $1 toll road (SunPass not accepted) takes you to North Key Largo, giving you spectacular views along the way.

Key Largo is the closest key to Miami, so you can get all the benefits of an island getaway without spending all day on the road. You can be there in an hour to an hour and a half depending on traffic.

Key Largo is a great place to enjoy Florida’s unique natural wonders. At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, you can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and even scuba diving. Entrance to the park is roughly $4.50 per person, depending on how many people are in your car. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).